CACFA RESTART DOCS www
2/11/19 (Updated 5/17/21, 10/23/24) Assembled by Ray Kreig  

Alaska Citizens Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA) [State webpage, not updated since Gov. Walker vetoed Commission funding in June 2016]

subcommittee:  Alaska State Lands Advisory Group (ASLAG) [State webpage]
Transfer Federal Public Lands to States [American Land Rights Association webpage]

CACFA Fact Sheet & BIOs   What funding CACFA does for Alaskans  www  rakhd

CACFA is a dedicated group of expert volunteers that stands against injustice and overreach.  CACFA speaks for a citizenry facing overwhelming odds dealing with the Feds.  In the halls of power, CACFA uses its experiences and big picture perspective to provide a reasoned and informed voice for Alaskans to enforce the law, hold agencies accountable and create meaningful policies and exemptions to safeguard the promises Alaskan was given in 1959, 1980 and all the years CACFA has successfully fought for change.

LATEST!

CACFA is now reestablished and funded.  Our legislators and the governor need to hear from Alaskans:  Please appoint commissioners and get CACFA back underway!  Contact: Your Legislators  Governor Dunleavy

2024

10/9/24 - SB 34 - Message dated August 29 was received stating the Governor has let the bill become law without signature.

8/6/24 - SB 34 - Transmitted to the Governor

5/15/24 - SB 34 - "Shall the Senate concur in the House amendment(s)?"  YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0 

5/14/24 - SB 34 - House Final Vote  (H) PASSED YEAS:  35   NAYS:  5

Yeas:  Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk,                                                                   
Dibert, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson,                                                            
McCabe, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge,                                                                   
Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton,                                                                   
Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright   

Nays:  Eastman, Edgmon, Hannan, Josephson, McCormick

3/22/24 - SB 34 - Senate Final Vote  (S) PASSED YEAS:  35   NAYS:  0 EXCUSED: 4  

Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Hoffman, Hughes,                                                                      
Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens,                                                              
Wielechowski, Wilson                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Shower, Tobin    

2023

5/3/23 - Senate Cosponsors: BJORKMAN, MERRICK, BISHOP, HUGHES, SHOWER, MYERS  

1/23/23 - Reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas (SB 34) - Sponsored by Sen. James Kaufman - 

2022

2021

5/18/21 - SB 101 CACFA dies in the House Rules Committee!
ACTION:  Urge Gov. Dunleavy to add it to the Legislative Special Session agenda NOW!

Even though,

• It passed the Alaska Senate with nearly unanimous Republican and Democratic support (18 yes/1 no/1 excused), 
• It was personally walked through both the/ House Resources and Finance Committees successfully by Senate Resources Chair Josh Revak,

It was NOT moved by House Rules Chair Bryce Edgmon and it perished at the end of the regular legislative session on May 19th.

Therefore CACFA will terminate under sunset legislation on June 30, 2021

Governor Dunleavy needs to hear from citizens AND ESPECIALLY NATIVE CORPORATION LANDOWNERS that CACFA has to come back. He needs to add this matter to the agenda of the special legislative session NOW.

Contact Governor Dunleavy

Under the SB 101 improvements made by the Senate, three CACFA commissioners will now represent important Alaska native landowners and make for an even more effective commission.

5/17/21 - House Finance Committee - Sen. Revak came to the House Finance Committee to speak in favor of CACFA. About 40 minutes of proceedings.  Suzanne Downing (Must Read Alaska) did an excellent write up.  Additionally, Legislative Auditor Kris Curtis did a great job dealing with Andy Josephson and Adam Wool!  Rep. Foster asked Gov Dunleavy why he voted it and Gov. said he had thought w/Trump administration we would be getting better cooperation.  Edgmon takes cheap shot snipe at CACFA Ex Director; Wool piles on too.  DP: MERRICK, FOSTER | NR: ORTIZ, EDGMON, LEBON, JOHNSON, WOOL, JOSEPHSON.  It was moved out of the committee to Rules next.

5/14/21 - House Resources hearing - Sen. Revak came to the House Resources Committee to speak in favor of CACFA. About 23 minutes of proceedings.  Rep. Rauscher asks Sen. Revak if the fiscal note has enough money. Revak says if he had his way, he’d give them $20 million and tell them to form a law firm but in this fiscal environment [can’t].

Testifying: 3 Invited, Tina Cunning (retired from 30 years in DNR’s ANILCA Program), CACFA is needed now more than ever!  Chris Curtis, legislative auditor: She pointed to the history of CACFA funding in the audit. There are no commissioners; all of their terms have rolled off… Kyle Moselle, DNR OPMP – Talking to the fiscal note (he wrote it).

[1:21:30 Brief at ease, they just learned that required masks have been ended; They all immediately rip their masks off!]

One public testimony: Rod Arno – Ex Dir Ak Outdoor Council. 
DP:  MCKAY, CRONK, RAUSCHER, GILLHAM, PATKOTAK | NR: FIELDS, HOPKINS, SCHRAGE.  It now moves to House Finance.

5/5/21 - CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 101(FIN) passes the Senate.  YEAS: 18 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0   

Yeas: Begich, Bishop, Costello, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Holland, 
Hughes, Kawasaki, Micciche, Myers, Olson, Reinbold, Revak, 
Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Wielechowski, Wilson 

Nays: Kiehl      Excused: von Imhof 

4/28/21 - Passed out of Senate Finance with  CS 5DP 1NR NEW TITLE Audio|Video jump to it by pressing 09:24:23 AM under Audio.   

1) Added a provision requiring 3 of the 12 commissioner seats to be designated for native corporations; composition of CACFA would then be:

How CACFA Commissioners would be designated with this amendment
AS 41.37.170 < existing		12 Appointed by:
		GOVERNOR	SENATE	HOUSE
Must be a Legislator	2		1	1
Must represent a Native Corporation	3	3
Citizens	7	3	2	2
TOTALS	12	6	3	3

2) Included new fiscal note with $178,100 in funding of which 92% is to pay for one permanent full-time position. No money for any commissioner in-person meetings.  

3) Referred to Senate Rules

4/16/21 - Passed out of Senate Resources with 4DP, 2NR, 1AM without any funding. Audio|Video jump to it by pressing 09:03:36 AM under Audio

4/12/21 - Short consideration. Audio|Video jump to it by pressing 03:33:51 PM under Audio

3/29/21 - Senate Resources hearing.  Presentation: 30 by 30 Federal Initiative by
Dick Mylius; then Invited & Public Testimony. Audio|Video jump to it by pressing 03:32:45 PM under Audio.

Key supporting docs here:   LEG AGENDA AND DOCUMENTS   3/29/21 Senate Resources   4/20/21 Senate Finance

• 4/8/20 - A Sunset Review of the Department of Natural Resources, Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA) - The audit concluded that, from the date of the prior audit in February 2015 through the time CACFA was defunded in June 2017, the commission operated effectively and did not significantly duplicate the efforts of other entities. During this period, the commission actively monitored the effects of federal regulation and management decisions in accordance with statutory duties. The audit also concluded that there is a continuing public need for the commission.

In accordance with AS 44.66.010(a)(10), the commission is scheduled to terminate June 30, 2021. We recommend the legislature extend the commission’s termination date eight years, to June 30, 2029.

• CACFA Fact Sheet & BIOs   

• CACFA_Fact_Sheet-Reauthorization - What funding CACFA does for Alaskans 

• ALASKA STATE LANDS ADVISORY GROUP - Fact Sheet & BIOs

• CACFA Enabling Legislation SLA2007-HB87 | 9/28/07 - The Commission was re-established after Representative Mike Kelly of Fairbanks introduced and won passage of House Bill 87, which Governor Palin signed into law on September 28, 2007.

• SB 101A (bill text) - By Senate Resources Committee (Sen. Revak, chair)

6/30/21 - In accordance with AS 44.66.010(a)(10), the [CACFA] commission is scheduled to terminate June 30, 2021.

3/5/21 - SB 101 is Senator Revak's bill extending CACFA's sunset date until 2029 - as recommended in the sunset audit.  3/29/21 - Sen. Revak's Sponsor Statement. 

2020

4/8/20 - A Sunset Review of the Department of Natural Resources, Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA) - The audit concluded that, from the date of the prior audit in February 2015 through the time CACFA was defunded in June 2017, the commission operated effectively and did not significantly duplicate the efforts of other entities. During this period, the commission actively monitored the effects of federal regulation and management decisions in accordance with statutory duties. The audit also concluded that there is a continuing public need for the commission.

In accordance with AS 44.66.010(a)(10), the commission is scheduled to terminate June 30, 2021. We recommend the legislature extend the commission’s termination date eight years, to June 30, 2029.

2019

6/28/19 - Shocking! Gov. Dunleavy has vetoed CACFA! PDF  

5/1/19 - CACFA is included in the HB 39 Operating Budget passed by the Senate and forwarded to conference committee.  Conference Committee appointees are Sens. Bert Stedman, Natasha von Imhof, and Donny Olson; Reps. Neal Foster, Tammie Wilson, and Cathy Tilton. 

4/26/19 - Offered by Senator Mike Shower/Stedman: Amendment #14 to Reconstitute the CACFA Executive Director and appropriate $200,000.  It was inserted back in the budget by Senate Finance Committee @10:33 (video, audio and documents). There was no objection so it was unanimous.  Present were Senators Stedman (Co-Chair), von Imhof (Co-Chair), Wielechowski, Shower (on the phone), Hoffman, Micciche, Bishop, Wilson, Olson. [HB 39 Operating Budget]

Explanation
Reconstitute the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA) Executive Director position and fund CACFA to cover travel for Commission meetings, ensure the Department of Interior properly implements the SCOTUS Sturgeon ruling and applies Sturgeon caselaw to navigable rivers statewide. BLM and other federal land management plans continue to systematically erode Alaskan's traditional access and use rights on federal lands as promised under ANILCA. The increment is required for an executive director to monitor federal actions, coordinate CACFA meetings, write a newsletter, and commission travel for at least twice a year face to face public meetings. These meetings regularly invite federal land managers to the table for discussions as well as take testimony from affected Alaskans.

Docs from CACFA Archives:

3/8/18 - House Finance Committee - 1:14:46 PM - Representative Pruitt MOVED to ADOPT Amendment L H SAP 26 - Re-appropriating $416,060 from the Office of the Governor to CACFA.  It would allow the balance to be used over the course of FY 19 and FY 20, spreading the $415,000 over 2 years rather than 1 year. 

IN FAVOR: Pruitt, Thompson, Tilton, Wilson 
OPPOSED: Gara, Grenn, Guttenberg, Kawasaki, Ortiz, Foster, Seaton 

The MOTION to adopt Amendment L H SAP 26 as amended FAILED (4/7). 

2017 - ??? - Rep. Chris Birch amendment to refund CACFA [still looking for it]  I could not find an attempt to restore CACFA in House Finance.  HB 57 was the operating budget bill.

3/31/17 - Senate Finance Committee amendment by Sen. Dunleavy to move $185,000 in funding and 1 PFT PCN from DNR to CACFA  

On 4/3/2017 at 02:47:03pm (1:21:33 into the video/audio recording) - Sen. Dunleavy offered DNR Amendment #3 (combined with associated amendment #4) in the full Senate Finance Committee, to the operating budget bill HB 57. The amendment proposed to take $185,000 in UGF and 1 permanent full-time position from the DNR Commissioner’s office (effectively anywhere in the department the commissioner chooses), and move it to CACFA for the FY2018 budget.

Operating budget chairman Sen. Hoffman objected to the amendment, and Sen. Bishop spoke against the amendment.

Roll-Call Vote tally: The amendment failed in committee 1-6
Nay (6) – Sens. Von Imhof, Olson, Bishop, Micciche, MacKinnon, Hoffman
Yea (1) – Sen. Dunleavy

The amendment packet showing DNR Amendments #3 and #4 relating to CACFA are found on page 12 of the 30 page document in the public records.    

It is possible that this amendment was also offered again at a later stage in the budget process (floor debate, or conference committee), but don't yet know exactly where to look.

6/3/16 - NPS Advisory Board Meeting, Anchorage - CACFA Executive Director Sara Taylor gave testimony before the National Park Service Advisory Board in 2016, one of only two Alaskans invited to testify (the other was Sarah Leonard from ATIA) - NPS Director Jon Jarvis got a chuckle out of the Sara[h] theme, and the ATIA Sarah ended up in a family emergency and CACFA Sara got the full hour to testify!  

CACFA Executive Director Sara Taylor testimony:

CACFA Media Release (2 p)    NPSAB Minutes (2 p)  Transcript (14 p)  Audio (24:13) 

NPSAB above includes responses from Chairman [former] Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles and NPS Director Jon Jarvis.  Complete Meeting Notebook (154 p.)

6/16 - Gov. Walker vetoes CACFA appropriation.  CCS HB 256, Sec. 1  Page 30 line 31.

CACFA's testimony in front of two U.S. Senate committees in 2015. In December, CACFA testified right next to Governor Walker at the same time he was eliminating CACFA's budget.  Yet Lt Gov Byron Mallott came to the January CACFA meeting in Juneau to tell them how amazing he thought they were, and how essential CACFA was... 

4/8/15 - U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT &PUBLIC WORKS - SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, WATER, AND WILDLIFE - Field Hearing on Proposed Rulemaking to Define Jurisdiction Under the Clean Water Act - Fairbanks, Alaska | April 8, 2015 - Testimony of Sara Taylor, Executive Director of the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas.

12/3/15 - U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES - HEARING ON THE ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION ACT - Testimony on behalf of the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Areas Submitted by Senator John Coghill, Commissioner

FY2015 - Annual Report  Org Chart   CACFA+ANILCA Program Accomplishments   Staff Reduction Press Release  

2/16 (posted) - WHAT FUNDING CACFA DOES FOR ALASKA AND ALASKANS   

3/30/15 - Stan Leaphart Support Letter for CACFA   

8/12 to 12/13 - Federal Overreach Summit - Anchorage

7&8/08 - Citizens Advisory Commission on Federal Areas meets see pages 8-10

6/17/08 - Ex Dir recruitment << dead link  

9/28/07 - The Commission was re-established after Representative Mike Kelly of Fairbanks introduced and won passage of House Bill 87, which Governor Palin signed into law on September 28, 2007.

5/8/07 - Rep. Mike Kelly Sponsor Statement << dead link